    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 27 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
    [Pages 971-972]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following a Meeting With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India
    in Toyako

    July 9, 2008

        President Bush. Prime Minister Singh and I just had a typical
    conversation amongst

    [[Page 972]]

    friends. We talked about common opportunities, world problems, and we
    did it in a spirit of respect. And it was easy for me to do because I
    respect the Prime Minister a lot. I also respect India a lot. And I
    think it's very important that the United States continues to work with
    our friends to develop not only a new strategic relationship but a
    relationship that addresses some of the world's problems.
        We talked about the India-U.S. nuclear deal and how important that
    is for our respective countries. We talked about the environment and how
    we can work together to grow our economies and, at the same time, be
    responsible stewards of the environment. We talked about free trade, the
    Doha round, and how important it is that nations such as India and the
    United States find common ground to make sure protectionist sentiments
    don't wall us off from the rest of the world.
        We talked about educational exchanges. I reminded the Prime Minister
    that the Indian American population is very proud of this relationship
    and proud of their heritage and proud of the leadership of the Prime
    Minister.
        All in all, it was a really good meeting amongst two friends. And
    so, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for joining us today, and
    congratulations on your leadership at home.
        Prime Minister Singh. Mr. President, it is a great privilege for me
    to once again meet you and to review with you the state of Indo-American
    relations. And I'm very happy to report to the President that our
    relations have moved forward handsomely since our first meeting in July
    2005. We have made progress in all areas. We have progressed in nuclear
    cooperation, space cooperation, defense cooperation, educational
    exchanges, our working together in multilateral institutions for the
    success of Doha round. And I am very pleased with the state of our
    relationship, which has truly acquired the characteristic of a genuine
    strategic partnership.
        I thank the President for his personal, magnificent contribution to
    the evolution of our relationship. And all I can say is, our
    relationship with the United States has never been in such good shape as
    it is today. And it is the intention of my Government, as I believe it
    is also the will of the Indian people, particularly the thinking
    segments of our population, that in this increasingly interdependent
    world that we live in, whether it is a question of climate change,
    whether it is a question of managing the global economy, India and
    United States must stand tall, stand shoulder to shoulder. And that's
    what is going to happen.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. We're standing shoulder to shoulder
    right here.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:23 a.m. at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort
    and Spa.